The whole world is shifting towards a healthier lifestyle. Our hectic pace of life combined with an imbalanced diet can take a heavy toll on our bodies. Eating a healthy and well-balanced diet plays a very important part in increasing our longevity and living a disease-free life. A refreshing and delicious smoothie can be a regular feature in your diet. These luscious and nutritious recipes give you a healthy breakfast option or an anytime healthy snack for all.

Including healthy smoothie recipes in your everyday life means improving the quality of your food, as consuming fruit regularly will increase the photochemical level in your diet. Smoothies can be a good meal replacement for your regular food. Moreover, it is a great way to add fiber and other nutritious supplements into your drink as healthy ingredients like flaxseed oil and spirulina wheat germ can easily be added to your smoothie.

Drinking a commercial smoothie can sometimes give you some undesirable preservatives, protein powders, refined sugars, or some other fattening additives. Preparing them at home with couple of substitutes can definitely lower the fat content. Try using skimmed or soy milk in place of full cream milk, and mix frozen yogurt in place of ice cream.

To make that perfect healthy smoothie, follow certain tips given by experts in the field. Freeze your fruits before you blend them in your drink. This will give you a cooler and thicker shake. For best results, chop large fruits like watermelon and banana before you put them in freezer. To avoid having a big lump of fruit in your freezer, spread it on a plate or aluminum foil before freezing. Once your fruit pieces are frozen, you can easily store them in a clean container and use them to prepare delicious and healthy smoothies.

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Studies have shown that green tea helps to build your immune system with its antioxidants, lowers cholesterol and blood pressure, reduces the risk of getting various types of cancer and Alzheimers, and all the while it promotes oral health and increases metabolism.

Smoothies are an easy way to enjoy the benefits of green tea, plus fruits for vitamins, antioxidents and fiber. Smoothies are nutritious, easy to make and provide a healthy meal-on-the-go. If you don’t have time for breakfast, make it the evening before and take it along. Here’s a simple, vitamin-filled smoothie recipe which allows you to add the health benefits of green tea to your daily diet.

Begin with two cups of green tea, made with four tea bags so it’s nice and strong.

Pour the green tea into a blender and add any or all of the following:

banana-source of potassium and fiber
four ounces of yogurt, flavor of your choice-great source of probiotics
a handful of nutritious blueberries or strawberries
tablespoon of soy vanilla powder for protein
a dash of cinnamon for your cholesterol and blood sugar

This smoothie is packed with antioxidants, protein, vitamins and minerals and makes a quick meal. If you’d like to add some fiber, throw in a couple of tablespoons of oatmeal.

Blend until all ingredients are smooth.

Don’t limit yourself to these ingredients either. Other possible ingredients are:

orange juice-Great source of vitamin C
mango, kiwi or other fruit or berries-source of vitamins and antioxidants
a spoonful of honey
peanut butter for protein

Let your imagination run wild!

Children love smoothies. It’s a wonderful way to give them a healthy meal or snack and can replace sugar-packed sodas and fruit juice.

For more healthy recipes, weight loss tips and healthy living tips, to go http://Path2HealthyLiving.com.

© Copyright 2006 by Joan Jones
Joan Jones is an award winning freelance journalist who writes feature articles on home and garden, health and nutrition